West Ham have been told they could sign promising Ipswich Town defender Elkan Baggott for a six-figure fee this month, according to a report from Football Insider.
The Hammers face competition for the 18-year-old from fellow Premier League side Leeds United, with both clubs already carrying out ‘early talks’ over a potential deal.
Baggott, who was born in Bangkok, has already made his first team bow at Portman Road as well as making two appearances for Indonesia’s under-19 side.
The teenager could be available for between £150,000 to £300,000, which would ultimately be paid by way of compensation after he rejected a new contract offer at Ipswich.
Leeds shelled out just shy of £30m on centre-backs in the summer, but they haven’t solved their problems at the back as Marcelo Bielsa’s side struggle to stem the tide of goals – conceding the second-most in the Premier League this season behind West Brom.
In contrast, the Hammers have been defensively resolute of late and, for the most part, have settled on a stable back-line.
READ WEST HAM VERDICT
Having already secured the services of another 18-year-old centre-back in Frederik Alves this month, David Moyes is clearly planning for the future and life after the current crop of West Ham players.
Although Fabian Balbuena, Angelo Ogbonna and Craig Dawson have all performed admirably this term, the youngest of the trio is Balbuena at 29, meaning the next batch off the centre-back production line needs to be put in place now.
Often chastised for a reluctance to splash whatever cash is available, the Irons hierarchy should be enticed by the par-for-the-course nature of the comparatively measly compensation fee required to land Baggott.
